Terry McDonagh – A Couple Returned

A Couple Returned by Terry McDonagh Irish Poet, Playwright and Writer

This poem, A Couple Returned, refers to the period of economic boom in Ireland – Celtic Tiger period – in the first ten years of this century. A couple return to their native rural background having become rich by some means or another. They feel superior to others and attempt to show their wealth. Most of the local population see what’s happening, treat the couple with respect but leave them to themselves. After some time, the couple, gradually, become part of the community again when they begin to return to the way of life they had grown up with.

A Couple Returned

And they crossed the bridge on a tigerto show how rich they were, that summer.

The tiger was white, glossy and coveredin multitudes of sweat and hallmarks.

She was layered in the skin of crocodilesand he in the style of Him and Gentry.

The beast had nails of ivory and gold; itsharness dazzled in the spray of the moon.

Some stood in rows cheering, but mostturned to the cliff-top. Fish pulled away.

Autumn looked after itself. The bank managershared his special joke with them and they

settled for a big house where the tiger couldshow off by the front door. They B&B.

The neighbours left them to themselves untilhe began painting an old boat and she read

destiny in cups. She’s greying. He’s fishingwith his father. The tiger’s stuck in a hedge.

Live Encounters Poetry & Writing August 2017

Live Encounters Magazine August 2017

Ernie LaPointe, Great Grandson of Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull) Buffalo Bull Who Sits Down who was a Sun dancer, Medicine Man and Chief of the non-treaty Lakota,speaks to Mark Ulyseas in an exclusive interview